Advise on FF/GPS - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Kaijuu · 09-17-2010, 06:48 AM

Can anyone give their input on a good FF/GPS unit to sit upon a Yak, which to buy, or which to stay away from. I dont want to spend any more than I must. Thanks in advance.

Jzo · 09-17-2010, 08:43 AM

I haven't used ff with gps. But most popular ff co. seems to be Humminbird, Lawrence, Garmin, and Eagle. I use Garmin 140 which is without gps, like it very much, works for me. I kind of regret that I didnt get the Garmin 160c which is color one but don't regret not having gps. Personally I havent had the need for gps at this time.

FF with GPS: Lowrance HDS 5 seems to be a popular choice.

dsafety · 09-17-2010, 09:19 AM

While GPS on a FF is probably a great feature, it adds a lot to the cost of the unit. If I were in the market for a new FF, I would spend that money on a better image or color.

If you want GPS and have an iPhone or one of the other Android smart phones, the Navionics Marine app is $10 and works quite well. Check it out here.
http://www.navionics.com/NavionicsMobile.asp

Bob

BTF_David · 09-17-2010, 12:34 PM

One feature that having a GPS built into your sounder that was very valuable on a boat is the ability to scroll back into your sounder's scan history and mark structure... ridges, holes, dropoffs, etc

Then the GPS will take you directly over those mark points. You can set up drifts to pull up fish every time you're over that structure.

With the maneuverability of a kayak and the slowness of it, this feature may be less important. But it would still be nice to have IMHO. Takes the guesswork out of trying to get back to the structure you see on the sounder screen.

Just something to keep in mind and why having the two unit integrated is better than having a separate device for each. From what I've seen...the integration adds about $100-150 to the price.

Kaijuu · 09-17-2010, 12:55 PM

Anybody have any experience with a Eagle cuda 350s FF/GPS?

Iceman · 09-17-2010, 02:45 PM

The Cuda 350s are what we sell at OEX, they are slick combo units that hold up well to the kayak environment.

deepdvr · 09-17-2010, 03:11 PM

West Marine has a deal on a Garmin GPS Map. Not sure the exact model 441/448 ??? Regular price $539 on sale for $439. Twice the money than the Cuda 350 but more than twice the finder/gps.

I've used the Cuda 300 without GPS and it works, but its very basic.

09-17-2010, 06:48 AM	#1
Kaijuu "Floater" Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: so cal Posts: 164	Advise on FF/GPS Can anyone give their input on a good FF/GPS unit to sit upon a Yak, which to buy, or which to stay away from. I dont want to spend any more than I must. Thanks in advance.

09-17-2010, 08:43 AM	#2
Jzo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 344	I haven't used ff with gps. But most popular ff co. seems to be Humminbird, Lawrence, Garmin, and Eagle. I use Garmin 140 which is without gps, like it very much, works for me. I kind of regret that I didnt get the Garmin 160c which is color one but don't regret not having gps. Personally I havent had the need for gps at this time. FF with GPS: Lowrance HDS 5 seems to be a popular choice. Last edited by Jzo; 09-17-2010 at 09:30 AM.

09-17-2010, 12:55 PM	#5
Kaijuu "Floater" Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: so cal Posts: 164	Eagle cuda 350s Anybody have any experience with a Eagle cuda 350s FF/GPS?

09-17-2010, 02:45 PM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	The Cuda 350s are what we sell at OEX, they are slick combo units that hold up well to the kayak environment. __________________

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09-17-2010, 09:19 AM	#3
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	While GPS on a FF is probably a great feature, it adds a lot to the cost of the unit. If I were in the market for a new FF, I would spend that money on a better image or color. If you want GPS and have an iPhone or one of the other Android smart phones, the Navionics Marine app is $10 and works quite well. Check it out here. http://www.navionics.com/NavionicsMobile.asp Bob

09-17-2010, 12:34 PM	#4
BTF_David Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 30	One feature that having a GPS built into your sounder that was very valuable on a boat is the ability to scroll back into your sounder's scan history and mark structure... ridges, holes, dropoffs, etc Then the GPS will take you directly over those mark points. You can set up drifts to pull up fish every time you're over that structure. With the maneuverability of a kayak and the slowness of it, this feature may be less important. But it would still be nice to have IMHO. Takes the guesswork out of trying to get back to the structure you see on the sounder screen. Just something to keep in mind and why having the two unit integrated is better than having a separate device for each. From what I've seen...the integration adds about $100-150 to the price.

09-17-2010, 03:11 PM	#7
deepdvr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 591	West Marine has a deal on a Garmin GPS Map. Not sure the exact model 441/448 ??? Regular price $539 on sale for $439. Twice the money than the Cuda 350 but more than twice the finder/gps. I've used the Cuda 300 without GPS and it works, but its very basic.